Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi considers itself to be an advocate of opportunity, particularly for those persons residing in the South Texas Region. Accordingly, the admission standards and policies of the University have been designed to identify students who show potential for academic success.

Undergraduate Admission

There are eight categories of undergraduate admission to the University:

These categories and their associated requirements are described below.

Applications to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi through any of the eight admission categories will be processed only after all required documentation and fees have been received. An application is considered to be complete only when the Office of Recruitment and Admissions has received all required documentation, including completed application forms, required test scores, and any other information or fees specifically required. Incomplete applications will not be processed.

Completed applications are processed as they are received, and applicants are usually informed of their admission status within three to four weeks.

Application materials and information concerning all aspects of the admissions process may be obtained directly from:

Office of Recruitment and Admissions

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

6300 Ocean Drive, Unit 5774

Corpus Christi, TX 78412-5774

Telephone: (361) 825-2624

Prospective students are strongly urged to apply early.

Application Fee

Applicants applying or reapplying to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi are required to pay a non-refundable application fee of $40. The fee may be waived only in exceptional cases for applicants with financial hardships. An applicant in such circumstances should request his or her high school counselor, financial aid officer, or social worker to submit a letter verifying the need for a waiver with the application for admission. Applications submitted after the published deadline for the intended semester of enrollment will be assessed an additional $10 late application fee.

Applicants who are not U.S. citizens are considered through International Admission. For international applicants, the nonrefundable application fee is $75.00, paid in U.S. currency. Applications submitted after the published deadline for the intended semester of enrollment will be assessed an additional $10 late application fee.

Freshman Admission Procedure

Application and Transcript Submission

A student may apply for admission by completing the ApplyTexas Application (for U.S. Freshman Admission) online at www.applytexas.org or www.tamucc.edu. If preferred, an applicant may request a paper copy of the application form from the Office of Recruitment and Admissions. Upon completion of the application form, an applicant should submit the form and the appropriate application fee to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. The student must request his or her registrar to (1) send an official final transcript indicating grades through the applicant’s junior year and his or her class rank and (2) confirm the courses that will be completed through the senior year. Any student who has already graduated from high school at the time of application must furnish an official transcript, which includes the date of graduation, class rank and grades for all courses taken. To be considered official, a transcript must bear an original signature of a school official and/or the school seal. Applicants should submit the application, transcript, application fee, and any supporting credentials directly to the Office of Recruitment and Admissions.

Testing

Applicants must take either the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or American College Test (ACT). Students are encouraged to take the SAT or the ACT during the spring of their junior year in high school. However, scores from tests taken later are acceptable if submitted by the freshman admission deadlines.

The SAT and ACT are offered at conveniently located testing centers throughout the United States and in major cities in many foreign countries. Testing dates, locations, and fees required are described in the information bulletin, which may be obtained from the student’s high school or by writing the College Board ATP, P.O. Box 6200, Princeton, NJ 08541-6200, or the American College Testing Corporation, ACT Registration, P.O. Box 414, Iowa City, IA 52243-4198.

When registering, designate that the results be sent to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi by the testing agencies. Test scores may also be submitted on the official high school transcript. Test scores are not official and will not be accepted unless furnished in these manners. For Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, the SAT code is 0366 and the ACT code is 4045.

State of Texas Uniform Admissions Policy

Texas Education Code (TEC) 51.803 – 51.809 requires all first-time freshmen seeking admission at a public four-year institution in Texas to satisfy one of the following college readiness standards in order to be eligible to be considered for admission.

Successfully complete the Recommended or Advanced/Distinguished high school programs or a pre-college high school curriculum equivalent in content and rigor;

Earn at least a 1500 out of 2400 SAT assessment score (Verbal + Math + Writing) or the equivalent

1. Regular Freshman Admission

Freshman applicants are those citizens or permanent residents of the United States who have not been enrolled in any college-level institution except while still in high school or during the summer immediately following high school graduation and before enrolling in Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi for the subsequent fall. Freshman applicants are also called “first-year” applicants.

The best predictors of academic success have been a combination of high school class rank and standardized test scores. A student’s high school class rank results from ongoing opportunities to demonstrate capabilities in familiar situations, whereas standardized tests use objective measures for gaging academic potential. Regular Freshman Admission is based upon the combination of these two factors.

Applications are reviewed to ensure that applicants present the basic academic preparation required to pursue study at this University. Students who seek admission into Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi must successfully complete the Recommended High School Program, the Distinguished Achievement Program, or another pre-college curriculum that is equivalent in content and rigor to fulfill the academic preparation requirement.

The units of study and acceptable high school courses are:

English

4 Credits;

Laboratory Science

4 Credits, at least 1 of which must be in Biology, Chemistry, or Physics;

Mathematics

4 Credits at the level of Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II and a higher math;

Social Studies

4 Credits, which includes Economics;

Foreign Language

2 Credits in one foreign language or American Sign Language.

Students who have graduated in the top 25% of their high school classes and who successfully complete the required pre-college curriculum are admitted without minimum SAT or ACT score requirements. Such students, however, are required to submit official scores on either the SAT or ACT to the Office of Recruitment and Admissions. Students who have graduated in the top 25% who have not successfully completed a required pre-college curriculum or an equivalent are required to satisfy the automatic admissions standards outlined in Texas Education Code 51.000, including earning a minimum SAT assessment score of 1500 out of 2400 or the ACT composite score of a 21 or satisfy ACT’s College Readiness Benchmarks on the ACT assessment.

The following requirements linking high school class standing and minimum SAT/ACT scores will apply:

Class Rank

Required SAT Score

New Redesigned SAT Composite Score (March 2016 and forward)

ACT Composite

Top 25%

No minimum

No minimum

No minimum

2nd Quarter

1,000 or above

1080

21

3rd Quarter

1,100 or above

1170

23

4th Quarter

1,200 or above

1270

27

All GED graduates are to present their State of Texas Official Certificate of High School Equivalency indicating a test passing status with a certificate issue date and certificate number.

Holders of GED certificates who seek admission are also subject to Regular Admission Requirements as shown below:

SAT Composite Score

ACT Composite Score

1,000

21

Those applicants who do not meet these standards will be considered for admission under our Alternative Admission Procedure.

Freshman Admission Priority Application Dates

To ensure full consideration, the ApplyTexas Application, application fee, required transcripts, and any supporting documentation must be in the Office of Recruitment and Admissions by the following priority dates:

Fall Semester - March 1

Spring Semester - November 1

Summer Session - April 1

Completed applications received after the deadline date but before the beginning of regular registration will be processed as received.

2. Alternative Admission for Freshman

Those students who do not meet regular admission requirements may be considered under the Alternative Admission Procedure. The Undergraduate Admissions Committee will review applications for consideration under the Alternative Admission Procedure. In addition to reviewing the student’s class rank, standardized test scores, and high school courses, the committee will consider other factors such as participation in extracurricular activities, including evidence of leadership; community service; talents and awards; extenuating circumstances; and employment, internships, and summer activities.

Applicants for Alternative Admission must have an official SAT or ACT score on file with the University. The applications considered under the Alternative Admission Procedure will be on a case-by-case basis. Students admitted under Alternative Admission may be subject to specific enrollment conditions established by the Undergraduate Admissions Committee based on the applicant’s individual circumstances. These conditions may include enrolling in prescribed developmental course work, participating in tutoring sessions and other academic support activities, and meeting other conditions designed to promote academic success. The decision of the Undergraduate Admissions Committee is final. Subsequent admission reviews will be conducted on a case-by-case basis contingent on the submission of new academic credentials that demonstrate the student’s admissibility into the University.

Exceptional Talent Policy

Admission based upon exceptional talent provides an important pathway to higher education for students who do not meet regular admissions criteria but who have outstanding abilities and/or experience. Accordingly, a select group of applicants may be considered for admission because they possess exceptional talents that are important to the intellectual vitality, prestige, and diversity of the university community. Areas identified for consideration under exceptional talent admissions include outstanding achievement in intellectual or creative endeavors including the visual and performing arts, communications, athletics, and other experiences that demonstrate unusual promise for leadership.

To determine eligibility, a student must document for the Undergraduate Admissions Committee his or her talent through an audition, portfolio, videotape, or written evidence of exceptional performance. Three written recommendations from individuals who are knowledgeable about the student’s performance in his or her talent area are required. In the final selection of these students, the Undergraduate Admissions Committee must also take into consideration the academic record of each applicant to determine his or her potential to graduate in a timely manner and to complete successfully his or her academic career. Applications considered under the Exceptional Talent Policy will be done on a case-by-case basis. Students admitted to the University by way of their exceptional talent may be required to take additional leveling courses at the request of the Undergraduate Admissions Committee.

Enrollment Management will monitor the number students admitted under the provisions of this policy and will include this information as part of an annual report to the Faculty Senate and the Provost.

Those first-time freshmen who have been out of high school for five years or more and who do not meet the regular academic admissions criteria may be considered for “Probationary Admission” status. If the Undergraduate Admissions Committee admits a student on probationary status, the following conditions will apply:

While on probationary status, the student must remain part-time, taking no more than two courses each semester. The student’s progress will be monitored at the end of each term. To continue to enroll each semester while on probationary status, the student must maintain a term GPA of 2.0 or better and must not receive a grade of D or F in any remedial course attempted.

The courses the student will attempt while on probationary status will be determined by A&M-Corpus Christi placement results, TSI scores (or scores on an accepted alternative test), and the recommendation of the assigned academic advisor. All course work while a student is on probationary status will be chosen from remedial offerings and the core curriculum. After the student completes 12 semester credit hours of non-remedial course work with a GPA of 2.0 or better, without earning a grade of D or F in any remedial course attempted, the student will become a regularly admitted student, with all the rights and responsibilities of that status.

3. Transfer Admission

The University was an upper-division transfer institution for more than twenty years. During that time, the institution earned a reputation for working effectively with transfer students. It is the aim of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi to maintain that transfer-friendly reputation. Students who have earned 24 or more transferable semester hours of credit and who wish to transfer to the University must have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. Those students who wish to transfer with fewer than 24 transferable hours of credit must have minimum cumulative of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale and must also satisfy the regular freshman entry requirements. A transfer applicant may not disregard his or her college record and apply for admission as a freshman. The following additional rules also apply:

The applicant must provide official copies of transcripts from each college or university attended. To be considered official, the transcript must bear the seal of the granting institution and must be mailed to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi by the granting institution.

No remedial or duplicate credits may be transferred.

The applicant must be eligible to return to his or her previous institution.

The cumulative GPA includes all work attempted, excluding remedial, high school, or duplicate courses.

Repeated courses are calculated within the GPA according to the standards and rules of the granting institution. When multiple institutions of higher education have been attended, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi will use the highest repeated course grade in the grade point calculation.

Transfer Provisional Admission

Transfer students who do not meet regular admission requirements may be considered under the Provisional Admission Procedure. The Undergraduate Admissions Committee will review applicants for consideration under the Provisional Admission Procedure.

Applications for provisional admission must have copies of all required documentation on file with the University. Consideration of applicants under the Provisional Admission Procedure will be on a case-by-case basis. Students approved under the Provisional Admission Procedure will enter the University on academic probation and may be subject to additional provisions established by the Undergraduate Admissions Committee.

Transfer Admission Priority Application Dates

To ensure full consideration, the completed ApplyTexas Application (for U.S. Transfer Admission) and all required documents and supporting material must be on file in the Office of Recruitment and Admissions by the following priority dates:

Fall Semester - March 1

Spring Semester - December 1

Summer Session - May 1

4. Transient Admission

Students who are pursuing a degree at another college or university may be admitted as transient students if they provide proof of enrollment in good standing at their home college or university. Such students must complete an ApplyTexas Application (for Transient Admission) and submit an official transcript from their current institution of enrollment. Enrollment as a transient student is restricted to the summers or one long semester. Summer transient students must reapply each summer that enrollment is sought. Students admitted as transient students who later wish to pursue a degree at this University may do so by completing the regular admission process and meeting all admission requirements. (International students cannot be admitted as transient students.)

5. International Admission

International students (non-U.S. citizens) with outstanding academic records will be considered for admission. International students who seek admission to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi must meet the following requirements:

Application and Fee: A completed ApplyTexas Application (for either International Freshman Admission or International Transfer Admission) and a $75 application fee are required.

Testing: Prospective students from other countries must demonstrate the ability to speak, write and understand the English language. Prospective students whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination unless they have already earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in the United States or Canada, or successfully completed two years of instruction (taught in the English language) at a United States or Canadian high school or college, has obtained an SAT Critical Reading Score of 600 or higher or an ACT English Subscore of 27, or can provide compelling evidence of English proficiency to the Office of Recruitment and Admissions. A minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL paper examination, 79-80 on the TOEFL internet examination, or a 6.5 or higher on the IELTS examination is required for admission to the University. The TOEFL is administered by the Educational Testing Service in over 200 centers around the world. A registration form and a “Bulletin of Information for Candidates” may be obtained by writing to TOEFL Registration Office, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6151, USA. Applicants from the following countries will be exempt from the TOEFL or IELTS requirements:

Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize

Botswana*
Canada (all provinces except Quebec)
Fiji*
The Gambia*

Ghana*
Grenada

Guyana
Ireland
Jamaica

Kiribati
Liberia

Malta*

Marshall Islands

Mauritania

Mauritius

Micronesia
New Zealand

Nigeria

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Sierra Leone *

Solomon Islands
Trinidad and Tobago

Uganda
United Kingdom
Zambia*

Zimbabwe*

*countries with asterisks are subject to review

Freshman international applicants must have their test scores for either the Scholastic Assessment Tests (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT) submitted to the Office of Recruitment and Admissions.

Transcripts: The University requires all transcripts from international high schools, colleges and universities to be evaluated by a certified evaluation agency approved by the Executive Director of Recruitment and Admissions and require the evaluation report to be submitted by the agency to the Office of Recruitment and Admissions. A list of approved evaluation agencies may be obtained at the following website: http://admissions.tamucc.edu/international

Grade Point Average (GPA): A cumulative GPA of 2.5 for all work attempted at other U.S. colleges or universities are required.

Finances: The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi require all international applicants to provide an “Affidavit of Support” form certifying ability to finance study in the U.S. The Affidavit of Support must be completed with U.S. currency figures only.

Immunizations and Related Requirements: International students are required to have a tuberculin skin test or chest x-ray and must meet the immunization requirements discussed later in this chapter.

Health Insurance: All international students (students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States) are required to be covered by the Texas A&M University System’s student health insurance plan or to show proof of an equivalent insurance coverage. Students without insurance will not be permitted to register for classes. For information, contact the Coordinator of International Student Services.

International students should contact the Office of Recruitment and Admissions for further information on admission requirements for international students.

The admission application review will not begin until all required documents are received by the Office of Recruitment and Admissions.

An international student must be enrolled for a minimum of 12 semester hours during both the spring and fall semesters. An international student may not be admitted in undergraduate transient (visiting) or non-degree status. An international student sponsored by a program in a regionally accredited college or university may be admitted with the approval of the Office of Recruitment and Admissions.

International Admission Priority Application Dates

The completed ApplyTexas Application for admission of international students and all required documents and supporting material must be on file by the following priority dates:

Fall Semester - March 1

Spring Semester - September 1

Summer Session - February 1

International Student Advising

The Coordinator of International Student Services, located in the Office of International Education, oversees all academic and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requirements of F-1 students attending A&M-Corpus Christi. International students are required to report to the Coordinator of International Student Services at the beginning of each semester to maintain accurate status and essential information. The Coordinator of International Student Services helps students with forms and paperwork required for optional and curricular practical training, changes on I-20 form, change of status, reinstatement, and medical insurance requirements.

For additional information regarding international students, contact the Coordinator of International Student Services in the Office of International Education at (361) 825-2258.

English as a Second Language International (ESLI)

The ESLI University Language Center, a privately owned and operated program located on the campus of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, provides students intensive English training in preparation for entrance to the University. Students may enroll and begin study in ESLI courses at any time during the fall, spring, or summer terms. Tuition and fees for ESLI programs may differ from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi tuition and fees.

The ESLI program is intensive with 25 hours of instruction each week in reading, writing, speaking, listening, grammar, and intensive skills with a focus on pronunciation, vocabulary, note-taking, and test-taking. Students have the opportunity to participate in the academic, social and cultural life of the campus.

For further information and application packets, prospective students should contact ESLI at (360) 724-0547 or by email at esli@esli-intl.com or visit the web site at www.esli-intl.com.

6. Postbaccalaureate Admission

A student holding a baccalaureate or higher degree who intends to seek an additional bachelor’s degree or an additional undergraduate major or minor, or who intends to take undergraduate course work required for Texas public school teacher certification, should seek admission as postbaccalaureate student. Postbaccalaureate students may enroll in undergraduate-level courses (numbered below 5000) only. The following documents are required as part of the application process:

A completed ApplyTexas Application form.

A $40 application fee, which is nonrefundable.

Official transcripts documenting all course work taken at any regionally accredited college or university attended and the degree awarded at the completion of all coursework. Official transcripts must be sent directly to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi from the granting institutions.

7. High School Senior Concurrent Enrollment

High school seniors who wish to enroll at the University during the fall and/or spring semester of their last high school year may do so if they meet the following admission requirements:

Rank in the top 10% of their class, or have a composite score of 25 on ACT or combined score of 1140 on SAT (considering verbal and math components only);

Are completing a college preparatory high school curriculum;

Have completed an approved Texas Success Initiative (TSI) assessment or hold a TSI exemption based on ACT, SAT, or TAKS scores;

Present a letter of recommendation from the high school principal; and

Are approved by the Executive Director of Recruitment and Admissions.

High school seniors admitted under this program may enroll in a maximum of one class per semester and must be advised by the Islander Transition Center. The Executive Director of Recruitment and Admissions may make exceptions and permit a student to take more than one class. Factors for such exceptions include academic preparation as demonstrated by the student’s rank in class, the program of study taken in high school, the number of courses needed to complete high school requirements, and scores on the ACT or SAT.

All students admitted into the High School Senior Concurrent Enrollment Program are subject to all Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Texas A&M University System, State of Texas, and federal rules and regulations applicable to degree-seeking students.

Students admitted under this program who wish to continue in the summer or fall semester must reapply for admission.

8. Readmission

Students who have a previous enrollment history with Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi but have not been enrolled for one (1) or more years are required to complete a new ApplyTexas Application. Re-enrollees who have not been enrolled in any postsecondary institution prior to the term for which they are applying and are in good academic standing with the University are eligible for admission. Students who wish to re-enroll but have less than a 2.0 cumulative grade point average may be offered probationary admissions.

Students who have enrolled at another institution prior to their return to the University are required to submit official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended since leaving A&M-Corpus Christi and must satisfy transfer admission requirements.

Texas Success Initiative (TSI)

The Texas Success Initiative is a state-legislated program that requires students to be assessed in reading, writing, and math skills prior to enrolling in a Texas public institution and to be advised based on that assessment. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has approved the ASSET, COMPASS, ACCUPLACER and the THEA as acceptable assessment instruments for entering students. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi administers only the THEA and COMPASS, but accepts scores from any of the alternative assessments. The assessment or the results of the assessment are not a condition of admission, but a condition of registration to an institution. For the submission of THEA scores, the institution code for Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is 143.

If a student’s score on any section of an assessment is below passing, the student must enroll in appropriate developmental classes. Placement and participation in developmental education is determined on an individual basis for students by the Center for Academic Student Achievement. Students may contact an Intervention Specialist at 361-825-2977 or go by their office in the Glasscock Student Success Center. Students may re-test to meet the TSI standard. Institutions may consider the performance in developmental education, in college-level courses, and on an assessment instrument in determining college readiness. If a student does not participate in the specified courses or program prior to completing all TSI requirements, the student may be dropped from the University. The hours of the required developmental courses will count toward determining full-time status.

If the student fails one or more portions of an assessment and has 60 or more cumulative college level hours in the current semester, the student may not be permitted to enroll in any senior level courses (4000 level) until he or she passes the developmental program.

A student is exempt from the TSI if any of the following applies:

The student has an associate or baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.

The student, on a single test administration, has an SAT composite score of 1070 with at least 500 on the Verbal (Critical Reading) and Math sections.*

The student, on a single test administration, has an ACT composite score of 23 with at least 19 on the Math and English sections.*

The student has an exit-level TAKS score of 2200 on the Math and a 2200 on the English Language Arts section with a 3 on the Writing subscore.*

The student was honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty as a member of the Armed Forces of the U. S. or the Texas National Guard, or served as a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces on or after August 1, 1990.

The student has met the readiness standard at another Texas public higher education institution.

The student transferred from an accredited Texas private institution of higher education or an accredited out-of-state institution with acceptable college-level course work determined by the receiving institution. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi has elected to use the following course work with the designated letter grade to meet the following standards:

Math readiness standard – College Algebra [MATH 1314] or higher with a grade of C or better,

A three-credit hour course in history, political science/government, economics, philosophy, or literature with a grade of B or better,

Writing readiness standard – Composition I [ENGL 1301] or Composition II [ENGL 1302] with a grade of C or better.

A student qualifies for a waiver from the TSI if one of the following applies:

The student is serving on active duty in the Armed Forces of the U. S., Texas National Guard, or Reserve Component of Armed Forces and has been serving for at least three years preceding enrollment.

The institution has elected to waive the TSI requirement for non-degree seeking students. (The student must complete a TSI waiver contract). At the point a student becomes degree-seeking, TSI standards must be met by the student.

*SAT and ACT scores are valid five years from the date of testing to the first day of enrollment in an accredited Texas public institution of higher education. TAKS scores are valid for three years. After April 1, 2004, students holding the composite score on the SAT/ACT may be exempt from a portion of the TSI approved examination in the individual area in which they met the required score. Partial exemptions also exist for TAKS scores. Students must have both the required reading and writing TAKS score to be partially exempt from the reading and writing portion of an assessment.

For additional information, contact the Center for Academic Student Achievement at (361) 825-5933 or the Academic Testing Center at (361) 825-2334.

Academic Fresh Start Legislation

The “Right to an Academic Fresh Start” legislation, passed by the 73rd Texas Legislature, entitles residents of this state to seek admission to public institutions of higher education as undergraduate students without consideration of courses undertaken ten or more years prior to enrollment. This law gives students the option of electing to have coursework taken ten or more years prior to the starting date of the semester in which the applicant seeks to enroll either counted as usual or ignored for admission purposes. Applicants who elect to apply for admission under this law and who are admitted as students may not receive any course credit for courses undertaken ten or more years prior to enrollment.

The intent of the “Fresh Start” legislation is to provide students with an opportunity to clear their academic records, if they choose to do so, of all college-level work accumulated ten or more years ago. Students may not pick and choose what is to be ignored and what is not. Either all college hours ten or more years old are ignored or they are counted. Applicants interested in seeking a “Fresh Start” should contact the Office of Recruitment and Admissions.

Immunization and Related Requirements

Recommended Vaccinations

Students are encouraged to submit immunization records voluntarily in order to assure the availability of a more complete medical record while a student at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Student Health Services strongly recommends that every student, and their family members, review our updated list of immunizations most appropriate for university students. This list of recommended vaccines was compiled by the American College Health Association (ACHA) with assistance from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). See Recommended Immunizations.

TAMU-CC Tuberculosis Policy Requirements

TAMU-CC policy requires tuberculosis (TB) screening for newly admitted international students from countries where there is a high incidence of tuberculosis (as designated by the World Health Organization). Students with identifiable risk factors for exposure to TB, or for the TB disease, need to be tested and treated as necessary, to be allowed to register for second semester classes. Detailed information about screening and treatment for tuberculosis can be found at the following website: http://www.cdc.gov/tb/.

Students will be required to provide proof of compliance to TAMU-CC Health Center before students are allowed to register for second semester.

Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Policy

In accordance with Texas Senate Bill 1107 (amended by SB 62, effective October 1, 2013), Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi will require all new students under the age of 22 to provide certified proof from a health practitioner that they have received a valid bacterial meningitis vaccination or booster within the last five years. Students must submit their proof of vaccination or a booster at least 10 days prior to the first day of class for the intended term of enrollment.

A new entering student includes a first-time student of an institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education and includes a transfer student, or a student who previously attended an institution of higher education before January 1, 2012, and who is enrolling in the same or another institution of higher education following a break in enrollment of at least one fall or spring semester.

Students are strongly encouraged to obtain the bacterial meningitis vaccination before entering the United States or moving to the Corpus Christi area. A list of U.S. approved meningococcal vaccines is available: English , Español

Students who fail to submit certified proof of vaccination or a valid booster within the required time frame will be unable to register for their intended term. Please note, vaccinations older than 5 years will require a booster and all bacterial meningitis vaccinations and boosters must be administered by a health practitioner authorized by law to administer an immunization.

A document bearing the signature or stamp of the physician or his/her designee, or public health personnel (must include the month, day, and year the vaccination was administered).

An official immunization record generated from a state or local health authority (must include the month, day, and year the vaccination was administered).

An official record received from school officials, including a record from another state (must include the month, day, and year the vaccination was administered).

Valid Proof of Vaccination Exemption

An affidavit or a certificate signed by a physician who is duly registered and licensed to practice medicine in the United States, in which it is stated that, in the physician’s opinion, the vaccination required would be injurious to the health and well-being of the student.

Conscientious Objection Form: An affidavit signed by the student stating that the student declines the vaccination for bacterial meningitis for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. A conscientious exemption form from the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) must be used and can be downloaded from the following link: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES FORM. Please complete the instructions provided on the conscience exemption form. Please allow several weeks for delivery.

Other Vaccination Exemptions

A student is not required to submit evidence of receiving the vaccination against bacterial meningitis, or a booster dose, if:

The student is 22 years of age or older by the first day of the start of the semester; or

The student is enrolled only in online or other distance education courses; or

The student is enrolled in a continuing education course or program that is less than 360 contact hours, or continuing education corporate training; or

The student is enrolled in a dual credit course which is taught at a public or private K-12 facility not located on a higher education institution campus; or

The student is incarcerated in a Texas prison.

Students are encouraged to visit their primary care provider prior to enrollment. The cost of the bacterial meningitis vaccination may be cheaper in a student’s home country or through the student’s primary care provider. Students may also obtain the Meningitis vaccination or booster from their local County Public Health Department or other local pharmacies.

For medical questions concerning the meningitis vaccination or booster, students may contact the University Health Center Nurse Line at 361.825.5735. For questions regarding document submission and approval, students should contact the Office of Recruitment and Admissions at 361.825.2624.

All new students must receive the bacterial meningitis vaccination at least 10 days prior to the start of the intended term of enrollment.

How to Submit Evidence of Vaccination or an Affidavit to Decline Vaccination

All documents pertaining to compliance with the bacterial meningitis vaccination policy should be mailed, faxed, emailed, or hand-delivered to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Office of Recruitment and Admissions. Applicants who wish to fax their documentation are asked to use the Office of Recruitment and Admissions Fax Cover Sheet.